AI, Deepfakes, & Digital Manipulation

Ellie Schau, Gina Cappello, Evan Milletary, Delaney Rossette, Mallory Chase

AI Background & History

How AI Works

• AI: Programing computer systems that learn from and spot patterns in data sets.
• The advanced algorithms perform human tasks like recognizing speech or making decisions.
• AI first defines the problem, determine the outcomes, organizes the data set, chooses the appropriate technology, and then decides on test solutions
• AI works in 5 steps:
• Inputs
• Processing
• Outcomes
• Adjustments
• Assessments

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AI in Schools

AI is taking over how our schools across the country are operating, from how students are doing work to everyday social lives.

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One thing that is going on in schools right now is the use of AI deepfake images and videos.

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An article from nea.org talks about how deep-fakes are used in online cyberbullying, especially with girls. For example, a 10th grade girl from Westfield High School in New Jersey had images circulating around social media of her naked, as a result of students using an AI software to deepfake her face onto a naked body.

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She is not alone, however. “A 2024 Education Week survey found that educators report that half of their students had been misled by deepfakes.”

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According to Laura Tierney of The Social Institute, “There are students who are so severely psychologically affected that they have to change schools.”

AI Effects

Some probable major effects of artificial intelligence in the long-term are as follows:

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• Lack of accountability
• Unintentional bias
• Unsafe systems
• Cybersecurity concerns
• Lack of data privacy
• Huge impacts education systems
• Lower employment rates/human work being replaced with AI
• Less human made art and entertainment
• AI being put in charge of media and news at large

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AI Effects on News

Moreso than any other career, many people are concerned regarding the effects AI will have on journalism.

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According to an article from IBM, “a newsroom in the future without any AI tools is highly unlikely.”

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Roughly half of U.S. adults say that in the next 20 years, AI will have a very (24%) or somewhat (26%) negative impact on the news people get in the U.S. over the next 20 years. Just 10% say it will have a very (2%) or somewhat (8%) positive effect

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The main argument to keep artificial intelligence out of the news and media is the concern of getting inaccurate news and being kept in the dark about pressing issues

AI Deepfake

Term Deepfake: It is the fake news and information that comes from AI’s deep learning technology.

Kinds of deepfake: The two main kinds of AI deepfake are political and Pornographic AI

Deepfakes can present themselves in many ways, whether it's just putting someone's face on something else, replicating someone's voice, or using existing images or pictures to make something false. This dark version of AI is taking over the internet and not a lot of people are educated on what is going on.

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Political AI Deepfakes

In the 2024 election we saw an increase in the amount of AI that was being used in the media. In 2024-2025 many states in the United States passed laws against synthetic media and the use of AI in a way that could harm candidates and tarnish their image. 

In January of 2024 millions of people were on their phones listening to Biden telling people not to vote in the states primary's. What they soon found out was it was not actually Joe Biden, it was a deepfake that had gone viral overnight and took the internet by storm. 

In many instances the use of AI in these instances is just funny memes, but this past election we saw a lot of AI being used to slander officials and create false narratives.

Pornographic AI

While AI deep faking has been used for memes and funny videos, there is a much darker side to it than people realize. 

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In 2019 a study was done, the results said that 96 percent of all deepfake videos turned into pornographic videos (without consent) 

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So many lives are being ruined by pornographic deepfakes. Celebrities, social media stars, and regular women's lives are being altered due to AI. 

How to Fight The Dark Side of AI

Unfortunately, not a lot has been done, due to AI being so new and everchanging most states haven't made any moves to protect women against this issue. 

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Virgina and California are the only states to create laws in regard to deepfake pornography. The law states that the distribution of nonconsensual deepfake pornography is a Class 1 misdemeanor and one can be punished with up to 1 year in prison. 

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Although federal laws have been signed and the Violence Against Women's Act has been restored not much has been done on this issue but It is hopeful that the future will be different so we can protect these women better. 

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Media Manipulation

AI can manipulate media in various ways, including:

• Content Recommendation and Personalization
• AI-powered algorithms recommend personalized content on streaming platforms.
• Automated Content Creation and Editing
• AI can generate and edit media content.
• AI in Journalism and News Automation
• AI can automate news production and distribution.
• Audience Sentiment Analysis
• AI can analyze audience reactions to media content.
• Advertising and Marketing Optimization
• AI can improve targeted advertising and marketing efforts.

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Where It’s Heading

• Self-Driving Labs
• Pushing out human workers and creating robots to do repetitive tasks, to conduct literature reviews, and summarize current research, as well as examine existing research and the next steps with minimal human oversight. This can help with the speed of new discoveries.
• Decision Making
• Quicker decision-making process and reduce the amount of human-to-human contact within businesses or organizations
• It can be applied to anything from day-to-day tasks to healthcare treatment options
• Personalized Education
• AI can be personalized to the student's learning style and provide help/answers to what they are currently learning about
• Creation and Design
• AI can design and create products based on a set of requirements, like solutions to problems, pharmaceutical discovery, and personalize itself towards solutions, whether it's for individuals or society.

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